The Banquet in the House of Simon the Pharisee
1738
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
1738
From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art
You see a crowded dinner party: men in robes lounge around a long table, while a woman kneels at Christ’s feet, her hair loose, washing them with tears. Subleyras painted this for monks who ate in the same room every day. The scene isn’t just a Bible story—it’s a quiet moment of forgiveness happening right where the monks sat. The woman’s humility stands out against the men’s surprise. Look up chiaroscuro to see how Subleyras used light and shadow to focus your eye.
